Sinbound

Overture

"Once upon a time, there was a glowing city protected by golden gates known as Heaven. It was ruled by beings of pure light. Angels that worshiped good and sheltered all from evil."

Charlie told Chloe as she held a book titled The Story of Hell.

"Lucifer was one of these angels. He was a dreamer with fantastical ideas for all of creation. But he was seen as a troublemaker by the elders of Heaven. For they felt his way of thinking was dangerous to the order of their world. So he watched as the angels began to expand the universe in their ways."

Chloe gave a sad frown. Ever since she and Alastor had returned to Hell from the new life they had had, things were different. When she had left, the hotel was starting to pick up traction, and now at her return, it felt like it was back to square one.

Chloe looked back to Charlie and continued to listen to the story.

"From the dust of Earth, they created Adam and Lilith. Equals as the first of mankind, but despite this, Adam demanded control and Lilith refused to submit to his will. She fled the garden. Drawn in by her fierce independence, Lucifer found her and the two rebellious dreamers fell deeply in love."

"Together, they wished to share the magic of free will with humanity, offering the fruit of knowledge to Adam's new bride, Eve, who gladly accepted. But this gift came with a curse. For with this single act of disobedience, evil finally found its way into Earth. With it, a new realm of darkness and sin."

Chloe, in the corner of her eye, saw Vaggie standing nearby. She didn't interrupt Charlie however.

"And the order Heaven worked hard to maintain was shattered. As punishment for their reckless act, Heaven cast Lucifer and his love into the dark pit he had created, never allowing him to see the good that came from humanity, only the cruel and the wicked. Ashamed, Lucifer lost his will to dream. But Lilith thrived, empowering demon-kind with her voice and her songs. And as the numbers of Hell grew, so did its power."

Chloe gave a subtle grimace at the mention of Lilith.

"Threatened by this, Heaven made a truly heartless decision. That every year, they would send down an army, an extermination to ensure hell and its sinners could never rise against them."

Charlie gave a pause, her face painted with sorrow.

"But Lilith's hope remained. And her dream was passed down to their precious daughter...the Princess of Hell."

Charlie closed the book and held a glowing floating key. Chloe knew what it actually was, for Charlie had introduced KeeKee to her when she arrived back into Hell. The best way Chloe could describe it was KeeKee was reminiscent of a cat.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll make you proud."

Chloe put a hand of comfort on Charlie's shoulder, letting her friend know that she is there for her. Chloe and Charlie both looked at the product of this year's extermination.

"Charlie, Chloe?" Vaggie's voice entered the room

"Augh!" Charlie gasped in shock as she dropped KeeKee,who promptly went into Chloe's lap.

"Oh, shit. Did you hear all that?"

Vaggie gave a chuckle.

"Uh...Yeah, I was right there," Vaggie pointed to where she was with a smile.

"Sorry. I get pretty worked up after an extermination happens."

Chloe gave a chuckle at the two.

"Boy things have changed since I left and have returned. I forgot how rough the exterminations got." Chloe shuddered.